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The Register?s Editorial Board

The Legislature last year created a new state board to hear complaints about violations of the open-meetings and open-records laws. Now that the board is about to open for business, some lawmakers want to starve it to death.

The Iowa Public Information Board estimates it will need an annual budget of roughly $500,000 for a full-time director, two assistants and other expenses when it becomes operational July 1. Gov. Terry Branstad recommended $490,000. The House slashed that to just $100,000. That would assure the board would be nowhere near as effective as intended.